There’s a new phrase for shoppers that multi-task and it’s called retail “double-dipping.’  So what does this trendy new term mean? Retail double dipping is completing short tasks at the stores you are already shopping at in exchange for cash or gift cards . And it all starts with something that is taking up room in your purse (or pocket) – your smartphone! With the 2013 Christmas season in full swing, now is the time to download these top money-making apps and start accumulating that Christmas cash!

SHOPKICK

Shopkick has been around for 4 years and I have been using it for half that time. Their website boasts that over 6 million people use their app. As far as I know, it’s the only mobile smartphone app that rewards you for just walking into a particular retailer. Your tasks are measured in “kicks” and kicks can be cashed in for gift cards.

For example, earlier this week, I received 150 kicks just for walking into my local Target. You can gain additional kicks by scanning barcodes in the store, making purchases through the app or just by looking through what the app calls “editors books.” If you shop a lot like I do, the kicks can accumulate rather quickly (especially if you hit a large mall or shopping center). I usually average about $25 per month in gift cards. YTD, I have cashed out $245 in gift cards (mostly for Target and ToysRUs). In my opinion, this is the best ‘window shopping’ app available!  You can download Shopkick here.

 

Start-up Date:  2009

Cost:  FREE

Purchase required for rewards: No

Platform: Iphone and Android

Rewards: Gift Cards and merchandise only

Gift Cards Offered: Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, ToyRUs, BabiesRUs, JC Penney, Macy’s, Papa Johns, Itunes, Old Navy, Lowes, Game Stop, Sports Authority and more

Rewards Value: 250 kicks=$1

Reward Denominations: $2, $5, $25

Reward Delivery System: Instant (Target, ToysRUs and Old Navy), Email within 24 hours (Macy’s, Best Buy)..check each retailer on the app to see how you receive the gift card

Support Rating : 4 out of 5 (They normally respond within 24 hours)

Charity Option: You have the option to donate some of your kicks to a charity which changes every month. This month, it is the American Red Cross and the Ronald McDonald House.

Social Media Available:  Facebook, Twitter

Referral Program: Invite your friends and you will receive 50% of the kicks they receive in their first 2 weeks, up to 2,500 kicks per friend. You will be provided a link to share with them.

Interested in Shopkick? Download the free app here.

 

 CHECKPOINTS

Checkpoints is a family-owned enterprise that has grown into several million monthly users. I have used this app for over a year now and it’s a great way to earn gift cards while you shop.  Similar to Shopkick, it is a no purchase-required smartphone app that rewards you for ‘checking in’ and scanning barcodes at your local retailers. All tasks are rewarded in points and some give you additional ‘coins.’ The coins can be used to play a slot machine in the app to win bonus points. The points can add up fairly quickly, especially if you shop a lot. For example, while shopping at Target the other day, I was able to receive 223 points and 5 coins by scanning all 15 items. Checkpoints usually has points available to scan at your neighborhood grocery store or restaurant, too, and is not limited to national retailers.

The app was recently updated to include earning points by watching videos, completing offers from home and a shop and collect program that rewards you with 7 points for every dollar spent. I earn approximately $20 per month in gift cards (mostly Amazon and Target) but I know some people who scan everyday and are rewarded with a much larger amount.  I have received $205 worth of gift cards YTD from using this app.  You can download Checkpoints here and use the bonus code stlnana

Start-up Date:  2010

Cost:  FREE

Purchase required for rewards: No

Platform: Iphone and Android

Rewards: Gift Cards, Airline miles and Gadgets

Gift Cards Offered: Target, Walmart, Amazon, Starbucks, Best Buy, Kohls, Home Depot, Old Navy, CVS, Victoria Secret, Sephora, Shell Gas, Game Stop and more

Airline Miles Available: Southwest, American, Delta Sky, Alaska

Gadgets Available: Beats Headphones, Xbox 360 Bundle, Nintendo Wii U, Amazon Kindle

Rewards Value: 340 points = $1

Reward Denominations: $1, $10, $25, $50, $100

Reward Delivery System: Email

Support Rating : 5 out of 5 (They normally respond within 8 hours)

Charity Option: You have the option to donate some of your points to a charity such as Special Olympics, St. Jude’s Hospital and Make A Wish Foundation

Social Media Available:  Facebook, Twitter

Referral Program: Invite your friends and you will receive 100% of the points they receive in their first 2 weeks, up to 7,500 points per friend. You will be provided a bonus code to share with them.

Interested in Checkpoints?  Download the free app here. Use bonus code stlnana

KARMA BOX

Created in July 2013, Karma Box is still in its infancy. However, I have been reaping the rewards of its program for 3 months now and I can honestly say it’s legit.  Another smartphone app (IPhone only) that rewards you for entering a retailer, taking one picture and answering a few questions about customer service.  Your answers are rewarded in points and points can be cashed out in the form of gift cards.  Currently, the only gift cards offered are $5 Starbucks, $10 Amazon or a $25 Macy’s gift card. You can also receive a free month of Netflix as a reward.

The retailers that you can “grade” include Target, Old Navy, Best Buy, Walgreens, McDonalds, Macy’s, KFC, Victoria Secret, AT&T store, Verizon store, Gap Maternity, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Burger King and Subway.  I can honestly say I am in one of these places at least every other day so the points have really added up for me.  If you shop at a mall, you could probably hit a lot of these stores at once and watch your points accumulate quickly. Since August of this year, I have received $55 in Amazon gift cards and I am almost ready to cash out for another one. You can download Karma Box here.

Start-up Date:  July 2013

Cost:  FREE

Purchase required for rewards: No

Platform: IPhone and IPad

Rewards: Gift Cards Only

Gift Cards Offered: Starbucks, Amazon and Macy’s

Rewards Value: 500 points=$1

Reward Denominations: $5, $10, $25

Reward Delivery System: Email

Support Rating : 5 out of 5 (They normally respond within 8 hours)

Charity Option: Not at this time

Social Media Available:  Facebook, Twitter

Referral Program: Not at this time

Interested in Karma Box Rewards? Download the free app here.

 

GAPNSNAP

This smartphone app is a hidden gem and is the best kept secret in the world of mobile micro jobs.  I am so excited I came across it as it nets me $20 in cold hard cash each and every week without fail.  Like Karma Box, it’s a brand new app and for now, is only compatible with the IPhone. Unlike the other smartphone apps above, you are paid cash via Paypal. There are no gift cards or merchandise as rewards…just cash. How sweet is that?

GapnSnap is very simple to use. While you are shopping at your favorite grocery retailer (or any place that sells items that can be found in a grocery store), just snap a picture of any ‘out of stocks’ on the shelves. 300 snaps will get you $20 in your Paypal account the very next day. When I first started snapping, it took me almost an hour to finish all 300 snaps. Nowadays, I mute my phone (so no one hears the clicking sound) and just snap away….I can usually finish in about 40 minutes. Let me explain that you do not have to snap all 300 photos.  That is just the most that you can snap on a weekly basis and I prefer to max out. The snaps are based on “campaigns” and each campaign (which resets every Tuesday) requires a set amount of photos to be snapped and a set dollar amount to be paid on a sliding scale. The minimum is 25 photos for $1.00 and the maximum is 300 photos for $20. The more gaps you snap, the more money you make. The pictures are not stored on your phone but rather, are synced over wifi. If you do not have wifi at home to complete the syncing process, I suggest going to a McDonalds or Target and sync there. YTD, I have earned $320 from GapNSnap (I started in August 2013). You can download GapNSnap here.

Start-up Date:  April 2013

Cost:  FREE

Purchase required for rewards: No

Platform: Iphone and Ipad

Rewards: Cash only – via PayPal

Gift Cards Offered: None

Rewards Value: sliding scale; from $1 to $20 per campaign (weekly)

Reward Denominations: anywhere from $1 to $20

Reward Delivery System: If you finish syncing the snaps before midnight, the cash is in your Paypal account the next morning

Support Rating : 5 out of 5 (They normally respond within 8 hours)

Charity Option: No

Social Media Available:  Facebook, Twitter

Referral Program: No

Interested in GapNSnap?  Download the free app here.

 

IBOTTA

Ibotta recently celebrated their one year anniversary and they have been gaining much notoriety among bloggers and the morning talk shows.  Compatible with the IPhone and Android, this smartphone app pays you to buy products that you would normally buy anyway.  All you have to do is open the app before you go grocery shopping and look for products on there that you would like to buy. Then, take a poll for 25 cents, learn a fact about the product for 50 cents or maybe watch a video on the item for $1.00 (the dollar amounts vary with each product).  Buy the products you completed tasks on, scan the barcode of each product when you get home and upload the receipt. That’s it! You are paid cash via Paypal or if you prefer, you can choose a Starbucks or ITunes gift card or Redbox movie rental.  The threshold for cashing out to Paypal is $5 but I have easily made that in one shopping trip.  Once you meet the $5 threshold and cash out, the money transfer to Paypal is immediate.

In addition, there are bonus levels that you can achieve that will earn you even more money. Currently, if you invite your friends to join Ibotta, you will earn $2 if they use your referral link and then open the Ibotta app on their phone. (They have to open it and not just download it for you to earn your extra $2). There are also $10 in new bonuses for anyone who is new to the app.  They add up quickly. I have had Ibotta since January 2013 and have earned $307.50 YTD. You can download Ibotta here. There is $10 in Welcome Bonuses waiting for you!

Start-up Date:  2012

Cost:  FREE

Platform: Iphone and Android

Rewards: Cash via Paypal, gift cards, movie rentals

Gift Cards Offered: Starbucks and ITunes gift cards, Redbox movie rental

Rewards Value: 250 kicks=$1

Reward Denominations: varies; no limit

Reward Delivery System: Immediate transfer to Paypal

Cash Out Minimum:  $5

Support Rating : 4 out of 5 (They normally respond within 24 hours)

Charity Option: No

Social Media Available:  Facebook, Twitter

Referral Program: Yes; program varies; Currently, you receive $2 cash for every friend who signs up with your code and opens the app on their phone. (They must OPEN the app after clicking on your referral code or you will not receive the bonus).

Interested in Ibotta? Download the free app here.

RECEIPT HOG

Yeah…I know. Do you think the name is kinda cheesy?  I thought the same thing when I read about the app and it actually kept me from trying it for awhile. However, after reading several bloggers and their readers attest to it, I gave it a try.  And of course, I love the app now and use it with all of my grocery receipts.  It doesn’t earn me as much as the other apps mentioned above but I’m also not doing much except taking a picture of my grocery receipts and uploading them.

For every grocery receipt uploaded, you earn coins. In turn, coins are exchanged for cash into your PayPal account. Or, if you prefer, you can choose a $5 Amazon Gift Card. The higher the amount of your receipt, the more coins you are awarded. There are also bonus spins on a slot machine in the app that can earn you even more coins.  You are not going to get rich using this app.  I average $15 per month.  But that $15 has put gas in my tank and paid for a small unexpected expense many times.

And as an extra incentive for your holiday shopping,, you can submit any receipt from your favorite toy, department, electronics and office supply store from now until 12-31-13. You will earn 10 coins for each receipt (regardless of the amount). I have been waiting for Receipt Hog to expand out of the grocery area and I am so excited they are doing it this holiday season! This is a great way to earn some Christmas cash NOW!

You can download Receipt Hog here.

Start-up Date:  2012

Cost:  FREE

Purchase required for rewards: No

Platform: Iphone and Android

Rewards: Cash via PayPal or gift card

Gift Cards Offered: $5 Amazon

Rewards Value: 1000 coins=$5

Reward Denominations: $5

Reward Delivery System: Within 7 days after cash out

Support Rating : 4 out of 5 (They normally respond within 24 hours)

Charity Option: None

Social Media Available:  Facebook, Twitter

Referral Program: No

Interested in Receipt Hog? Download the free app here.

So there you have it!  Get paid to shop by utilizing these 6 smartphone apps!  Use just one app or all 6…it’s up to you. The key to success is organization. Open up your apps before your shopping trip and check out the store you are going to visit. Get an idea of what you are shopping for (Ibotta) and what you need to scan (Shopkick and Checkpoints). Don’t forget that you can scan any out of stocks that you see as you walk the store with GapNSnap. Answer questions on store appearance, and customer service with Karma Box. And hold to your receipt after your purchase.  You will need it for uploading with Ibotta and Receipt Hog. It’s easy, quickly addicting and very rewarding! Become a double-dipper today!  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions at topsappsthatpayu@gmail.com.